Anti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag

ABSTRACT

Athletic footwear often emits unpleasant odors after being used. As a result, athletic footwear is sometimes placed in a separate shoe bag with the purpose of carrying the footwear in isolation. However, current bags for athletic footwear have little to no effect on absorbing or neutralizing unpleasant odors, they merely contain the odor. The presently disclosed technology provides a space effective, odor-combatting athletic shoe bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/793,271 entitled “Anti-Bacterial andDeodorizing Athletic Bag” and filed on Jan. 16, 2019, which isspecifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it disclosesor teaches.

BACKGROUND

Athletic footwear often emits unpleasant odors after being used, oftendue to moisture and bacteria buildup therein, which is at least in partcaused by the sweat of an athlete's feet during athletic activity. Thismoisture buildup is typically slow to dissipate over time. As a result,athletic footwear is sometimes placed in a separate shoe bag with thepurpose of carrying the footwear in isolation. However, current bags forathletic footwear have little to no effect on absorbing or neutralizingunpleasant odors, they merely contain the odor. Further, current bagsfor athletic footwear are often bulky and wasteful of space.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed technology provides a space effective,odor-combatting athletic shoe bag. The bag may contain a divider in themiddle where shoes are placed tip-first and corresponding soles face thedivider. The bag may be narrow at a bottom closed end and increasing inwidth toward a top openable end to accommodate the shape of typicalathletic footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an example anti-bacterialand deodorizing athletic bag in a closed orientation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of an example anti-bacterialand deodorizing athletic bag in an open orientation.

FIG. 3 illustrates an interior view of an example anti-bacterial anddeodorizing athletic bag in an open orientation.

FIG. 4 illustrates an interior view of an example anti-bacterial anddeodorizing athletic bag in an open orientation with a pair of athleticshoes positioned therein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic sectional view of a main body of anexample anti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag.

FIG. 6 illustrates example operations for using an anti-bacterial anddeodorizing athletic bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an example anti-bacterialand deodorizing athletic bag 100 in a closed orientation. The bag 100includes a main body 102 that is sized and shaped to encompass a pair ofshoes (not shown, see e.g., shoes 418, 420 of FIG. 4 ) in a specificorientation, an internal divider (not shown, see e.g., divider 210 ofFIG. 2 ), and a closure assembly 104 at a selective opening (not shown,see e.g., opening 212 of FIG. 2 ). The main body 102 forms a cavitytherein for storing shoes with the selective opening for placing (orreceiving) and removing the shoes.

Various panels of the main body 102 may be made of one or more of thefollowing material layers. An outermost exterior-facing layer in panels126, 128, 130 of the main body 102 is made of a low-permeability fabric(e.g., a ripstop nylon, in some cases including a non-permeable coatingsuch as silicone). The low-permeability fabric layer is designed to bemoisture and air impervious, or of limited porosity, to seal odorswithin the bag 100. The low-permeability fabric layer is also durable,with tear and abrasion resistance as it is the outermost layer and maybe exposed to the elements. In other panels 132, 134 of the main body102, the exterior-facing low-permeability fabric layer is omitted. Inother implementations, a different count and/or location of panels ofthe main body 102 includes exterior-facing low-permeability fabric, aswell as a different count and/or location of panels of the main body 102that omits the exterior-facing low-permeability fabric.

An innermost (or interior) layer, at least in some panels of the mainbody 102 is made of a high-permeability fabric (e.g., spandex or anotherreadily pervious and breathable fabric) layer, that may also besignificantly elastic. The elasticity of the high-permeability fabriclayer may help to adapt the main body 102 to fit a variety of shoe sizesand shapes. Further, in various implementations, the high-permeabilityfabric layer may be infused with a biocidal metal (e.g., biocidal metalplated or incorporating biocidal metal threads). The high-permeabilityfabric layer permits moisture to flow therethrough while presenting asmooth appearance to a user and smooth surface to interface with theshoes stored within the bag 100. In some regions of the main body 102,the high-permeability fabric layer may be omitted.

Activated charcoal (or carbon) is a material that has been treated withoxygen to become porous and to have an extraordinarily large surfacearea. This makes it very effective in containing and treating unpleasantodors. Various metals (e.g., silver, gold, copper, nickel, tin, andzinc) have an oligodynamic effect (also referred to herein as a biocidaleffect), which renders them effective at odor control by killingbacteria within the bag 100. Such metals are referred to herein asbiocidal metals. Biocidal metal may be generally applied to textiles asfurther odor control agent. In specific regions of the main body 102,odor-absorbing panels of one or both of activated carbon cloth and abiocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh is added either between thelow-permeability fabric layer and the high-permeability fabric layer, orin some implementations used for panels of the main body 102 in place ofone or both of the low-permeability fabric layer and thehigh-permeability fabric layer. The activated carbon cloth is adept atabsorbing moisture within the bag 100 and neutralizing odors associatedwith the moisture. In some implementations, the odor-absorbing panelsmay also be infused with essential oils or other scented materials tomask any remaining odor.

The closure assembly 104 selectively seals the bag 100 and includes acarrying handle 106 and a series of magnets (e.g., magnet 108) arrangedin a row on each side of the selective opening in the bag 100. In otherimplementations, the closure assembly 104 includes s singular elongatedmagnet on each side of a selective opening in the bag 100. Each of thesetypes of closure assembly 104 may be referred to herein as a magneticzipper. The magnets, as well as a flap 136 securing the magnets, isillustrated in broken lines as they are hidden from view in the frontperspective view of the bag 100 of FIG. 1 . An opening in each side ofthe closure assembly 104 forms the carrying handle 106. The carryinghandle 106 is separated by pulling the magnets apart to open the bag 100and brought together to meet and close the bag 100 and allow the magnetsto secure together. In other implementations, the closure assembly 104includes a drawstring or zippered opening in place of the depictedmagnetic zipper.

The closure assembly 104 provides an affirmative and tight seal, thoughnot necessarily airtight or watertight. In other implementations, theclosure assembly 104 may include a zipper, hook-and-loop fasteners, orother mechanism(s) for selectively holding the handle 106 together.Other closure mechanisms are also contemplated herein. Further, separatecarrying handles may be attached to or otherwise incorporated into thebag 100 in lieu of or in addition to the carrying handle 106.

In some implementations, the bag 100 also includes a rigid or semi-rigidframework that holds the bag 100 in a desired shape and holds the mainbody 102 open to selectively place and remove athletic equipment fromthe bag 100. Still further, the rigid or semi-rigid framework may merelybe applied to one or more compartments within the bag 100 to hold thecompartment(s) open to selectively place and remove athletic equipmentfrom the bag 100. Still further, the compartments may each include oneor more anti-bacterial and deodorizing panels, such as odor-absorbingpanel 546 of FIG. 5 , that face particular pieces of athletic equipment.The compartments may be located within the bag 100, or attached toexterior surfaces of the bag 100, or some combination thereof. In anexample implementation, a pair of soccer cleats is stored within acompartment or compartments within the bag 100 having anti-bacterial anddeodorizing panels, and a pair of soccer shin guards are stored within acompartment or compartments attached to the exterior of the bag 100,also having anti-bacterial and deodorizing panels.

Various pieces of athletic equipment that may be stored inanti-bacterial and deodorizing compartments within the bag 100 include,but are not limited to shoes, helmets, body pads, and other athleticclothing. The athletic equipment may be that common to sports such assoccer, rugby, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, football, tennis, running,and so on. The bag 100 may be specifically adapted to apply to gear fora particular sport. In various implementations, a rear-side of the bag100 is similar to the front-side of the bag 100 depicted in FIG. 1 anddescribed in detail above.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of an example anti-bacterialand deodorizing athletic bag 200 in an open orientation. The bag 200includes a main body 202 that is sized and shaped to encompass a pair ofshoes (not shown, see e.g., shoes 418, 420 of FIG. 4 ) in a specificorientation, an internal divider 210, and a closure assembly 204 at aselective opening 212. The main body 202 forms a cavity therein forstoring shoes with the selective opening for placing and removing theshoes.

Various panels of the main body 202 may be made of one or more of thefollowing material layers. An outermost exterior-facing layer in panels226, 228, 230 of the main body 202 is made of a low-permeability fabriclayer. In other panels 232, 234 of the main body 202, theexterior-facing low-permeability fabric layer is omitted. In otherimplementations, a different count and/or location of panels of the mainbody 202 includes the exterior-facing low-permeability fabric, as wellas a different count and/or location of panels of the main body 202 thatomits the exterior-facing low-permeability fabric. An innermost layer,at least in some panels of the main body 202 is made of ahigh-permeability fabric that may also be significantly elastic. In someregions of the main body 202, the high-permeability fabric layer may beomitted. In specific regions of the main body 202, odor-absorbing panelsof one or both of activated carbon cloth and a biocidal metal platednylon knit mesh is added either between the low-permeability fabriclayer and the high-permeability fabric layer, or in some implementationsused for panels of the main body 202 in place of one or both of thelow-permeability fabric layer and the high-permeability fabric layer.

The closure assembly 204 selectively seals the bag 200 and includes acarrying handle and a series of magnets (not shown, see e.g., magnet 108of FIG. 1 ) arranged in a row on each side of the selective opening 212in the bag 200 with flap 236 securing the magnets in place. Openings222, 224 in opposing sides of the closure assembly 204 forms a carryinghandle for the bag 200. The carrying handle is separated by pulling themagnets apart to open the bag 200 and brought together to meet and closethe bag 200 and allow the magnets to secure together.

The bag 200 further includes an internal pocket 238 that providesadditional compartmentalized storage within the bag 200. The internalpocket 238 may be selectively opened and closed using a zipper 241 orother selective closure (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener, button(s), amagnetic closure, etc.). In various implementations, a rear-side of thebag 200 is similar to the front-side of the bag 200 depicted in FIG. 2and described in detail above.

FIG. 3 illustrates an interior view of an example anti-bacterial anddeodorizing athletic bag 300 in an open orientation. The bag 300includes a main body 302 that is sized and shaped to encompass a pair ofshoes (not shown, see e.g., shoes 418, 420 of FIG. 4 ) in a specificorientation, an internal divider 310, and a closure assembly 304 at aselective opening. The main body 302 forms a cavity therein for storingshoes with the selective opening for placing and removing the shoes.

Various panels of the main body 302 may be made of one or more of thefollowing material layers. An outermost exterior-facing layer in somepanels of the main body 302 is made of a low-permeability fabric. Inother panels of the main body 302, the exterior-facing low-permeabilityfabric layer may be omitted. An innermost layer 340, at least in somepanels of the main body 302 is made of a high-permeability fabric thatmay also be significantly elastic. In some regions of the main body 302,the high-permeability fabric layer may be omitted. In specific regionsof the main body 302, odor-absorbing panels 346, 348 of one or both ofactivated carbon cloth and a biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh isadded either between the low-permeability fabric layer and thehigh-permeability fabric layer, or in some implementations used forpanels of the main body 302 in place of one or both of thelow-permeability fabric layer and the high-permeability fabric layer.Specific locations of the odor-absorbing panels 346, 348 within the mainbody 302, as well as number, size, and shape of the odor-absorbingpanels 346, 348 may vary from that shown in FIG. 3 and explicitlydescribed.

The innermost layer 340 includes windows 342, 344 in thehigh-permeability fabric layer, each of which provide an opening to theodor-absorbing panels 346, 348 of activated carbon cloth and/or biocidalmetal plated nylon knit mesh. In some implementations, the windows 342,344 include a mesh that permits the odor-absorbing panels 346, 348 to bevisible through the windows 342, 344, while still adequately containingthe odor-absorbing panels 346, 348 generally behind the innermost layer340 of high-permeability fabric. In various implementations, the windows342, 344 are specifically oriented within the interior of the main body302 to face an opening of one of the pair of shoes. As a result, theportion of a shoe that typically emits the greatest amount of moistureand odor (i.e., the foot opening) directly faces the windows 342, 344and the odor-absorbing panels 346, 348 therein. In otherimplementations, the windows 342, 344 may be omitted.

The closure assembly 304 selectively seals the bag 300 and includes acarrying handle and a series of magnets (not shown, see e.g., magnet 108of FIG. 1 ) arranged in a row on each side of the selective opening inthe bag 300 with flaps 336, 337 securing the magnets in place. Openings322, 324 in opposing sides of the closure assembly forms a carryinghandle for the bag 300. The carrying handle is separated by pulling themagnets apart to open the bag 300 and brought together to meet and closethe bag 300 and allow the magnets to secure together. The bag 300further includes an internal pocket 338 that provides additionalcompartmentalized storage within the bag 300. The internal pocket 338may be selectively opened and closed using a zipper 341 or otherselective closure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an interior view of an example anti-bacterial anddeodorizing athletic bag 400 in an open orientation with a pair ofathletic shoes 418, 420 positioned therein. The bag 400 includes a mainbody 402 that is sized and shaped to encompass the shoes 418, 420 in thedepicted orientation, an internal divider 410, and a closure assembly404 at a selective opening. The main body 402 forms a cavity therein forstoring the shoes 418, 420 with the selective opening for placing andremoving the shoes 418, 420. The internal divider 410 physicallyseparates the shoes 418, 420, or in other implementations, two or morecomponents of other athletic equipment.

Various panels of the main body 402 may be made of one or more of thefollowing material layers. An outermost exterior-facing layer in somepanels of the main body 402 is made of a low-permeability fabric. Inother panels of the main body 402, the exterior-facing low-permeabilityfabric layer may be omitted. An innermost layer 440, at least in somepanels of the main body 402 is made of a high-permeability fabric thatmay also be significantly elastic. In some regions of the main body 402,the high-permeability fabric layer may be omitted. In specific regionsof the main body 402, odor-absorbing panels 446, 448 of one or both ofactivated carbon cloth and a biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh isadded either between the low-permeability fabric layer and thehigh-permeability fabric layer, or in some implementations used forpanels of the main body 402 in place of one or both of thelow-permeability fabric layer and the high-permeability fabric layer.Specific locations of the odor-absorbing panels 446, 448 within the mainbody 402, as well as number, size, and shape of the odor-absorbingpanels 446, 448 may vary from that shown in FIG. 4 and explicitlydescribed.

The innermost layer 440 includes windows 442, 444 in thehigh-permeability fabric material, each of which provide an opening tothe odor-absorbing panels 446, 448 of activated carbon cloth and/orbiocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh. In some implementations, thewindows 442, 444 include a mesh that permits the odor-absorbing panels446, 448 to be visible through the windows 442, 444, while stilladequately containing the odor-absorbing panels 446, 448 generallybehind the innermost layer 440 of low-permeability fabric material. Invarious implementations, the windows 442, 444 are specifically orientedwithin the interior of the main body 402 to each face an opening of oneof the shoes 418, 420. As a result, the portion of a shoe that typicallyemits the greatest amount of moisture and odor (i.e., the foot opening)directly faces the windows 442, 444 and the odor-absorbing panels 446,448 therein. In other implementations, the windows 442, 444 may beomitted.

The closure assembly 404 selectively seals the bag 400 and includes acarrying handle and a series of magnets (not shown, see e.g., magnet 108of FIG. 1 ) arranged in a row on each side of the selective opening inthe bag 400 with flaps 436, 437 securing the magnets in place. Openings422, 424 in opposing sides of the closure assembly forms a carryinghandle for the bag 400. The carrying handle is separated by pulling themagnets apart to open the bag 400 and brought together to meet and closethe bag 400 and allow the magnets to secure together. The bag 400further includes an internal pocket 438 that provides additionalcompartmentalized storage within the bag 400. The internal pocket 438may be selectively opened and closed using a zipper 441 or otherselective closure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic sectional view of a main body 502 ofan example anti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag. An outermostexterior-facing layer 550 of the main body 502 is made of alow-permeability fabric (e.g., a ripstop nylon). Low-permeability fabricwithin the meaning of the present application may include fabrics withgreater than 17 Ret under the ISO 11092 standard (also referred to asthe sweating guarded hotplate (SGHP) test). In other panels of the mainbody 502, the exterior-facing low-permeability fabric layer 550 may beomitted.

An innermost layer 540 of the main body 502 is made of ahigh-permeability fabric (e.g., spandex or another readily pervious andbreathable fabric) that may also be significantly elastic.High-permeability fabric within the meaning of the present applicationmay include fabrics with less than 17 Ret under the ISO 11092 standard.In some regions of the main body 502, the high-permeability fabric layer540 may be omitted.

In specific regions of the main body 502, odor-absorbing panels (e.g.,odor-absorbing panel 546) of one or both of activated carbon cloth 552and a biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh 554 is added either betweenthe low-permeability fabric layer 550 and the high-permeability fabriclayer 540, or in some implementations used for panels of the main body502 in place of one or both of the low-permeability fabric layer 550 andthe high-permeability fabric layer 540.

The activated carbon cloth 552 is adept at absorbing moisture within thebag and neutralizing odor 556 associated with moisture therein. Thebiocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh 554 has anti-microbial properties,which may further aid in neutralizing the odor 556 by killing bacteriawithin the bag. In one example implementation, the odor-absorbing panel546 is approximately 5 inches square (i.e., 5 inches square+/−1 squareinch). Specific locations of the odor-absorbing panel 546 (or othersimilar odor-absorbing panels) within the main body 502, as well asnumber, size, and shape of the odor-absorbing panels may vary from thatexplicitly described.

The innermost layer 540 includes a window 542 in the high-permeabilityfabric layer 540 that provides an opening to the odor-absorbing panel546 of activated carbon cloth 552 and biocidal metal plated nylon knitmesh 554, thereby facilitating absorption of the odor 556, asillustrated by arrows 558, 560. In some implementations, the window 542includes a mesh 562 that permits the odor-absorbing panel 546 to bevisible through the window 542, while still adequately containing theodor-absorbing panel 546 generally behind the innermost layer ofhigh-permeability fabric 540 within the main body 502.

In various implementations, the window 542 is specifically orientedwithin the main body 502 to face an opening of one of a pair of shoes.As a result, the portion of a shoe that typically emits the greatestamount of moisture and odor (i.e., the foot opening) directly faces thewindow 542 and the odor-absorbing panel 546 therein. In otherimplementations, the window 542 may be omitted and the odor 556permeates the high-permeability fabric layer 540 prior to beingabsorbed/dissipated by the odor-absorbing panel 546.

In another implementation, the odor-absorbing panel 546 is only attachedto the low-permeability fabric layer 550 at one end. The opposite end ofthe odor-absorbing panel 546 is free, thus forming an insert. Further,the odor-absorbing panel 546 may be reconfigured as a bag or pocket madeof biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh and filled at least in partwith activated carbon material. The bags or pockets may also be filledwith additional resiliently compressible material (e.g., foam) toprovide an expandable characteristic to fill a desired void.

In a specific example, the bags or pockets are shoe inserts and aresized and shaped to be stuffed into shoe openings of shoes stored withinthe bag. The shoe inserts are then capable of partially or completelyfilling the void within each shoe and more directly interact withodor-causing moisture and bacteria to eliminate or block the odor 556.In another implementation, the shoe inserts include a rigid orsemi-rigid structure with a shape conforming to the interior of theshoes (e.g., a shoe last). The structure is coated or covered withactivated carbon cloth and/or biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh, orthe structure is perforated and the activated carbon cloth and/orbiocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh is contained within the structure,or some combination thereof.

FIG. 6 illustrates example operations 600 for using an anti-bacterialand deodorizing athletic bag. An opening operation 610 opens a closureassembly of the bag, exposing at least one compartment therein that isused to store athletic equipment. The compartment includes at least oneodor-absorbing panel attached to an interior of the main body thatincludes at least one layer of each of activated carbon cloth andbiocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh. In various implementations, theclosure assembly may include one or more zippers, drawstrings, buttons,snaps, handles, magnets, and so on.

A placing operation 620 places the athletic equipment into thecompartment with the odor-absorbing panels each facing a portion of theathletic equipment generating odor. In an implementation where theathletic equipment is a pair of shoes, the odor-absorbing panels eachface an opening in each shoe for the user's foot. A closing operation630 closes the closure assembly of the bag, thus sealing the athleticequipment within the bag. While the closure assembly generally seals thebag, in various implementations it may not be air-tight or watertight.Such shoe bags may have a single compartment or one or more internaldividers of pockets separating the bag into multiple compartments.Further, such shoe bags may have a variety of closure structures,including but not limited to draw strings, buckles, zippers, buttons,and the like.

An absorbing operation 640 absorbs odor emitted from the athleticequipment into the odor-absorbing panels. One or both of the activatedcarbon cloth and biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh within theodor-absorbing panel primarily performs the absorbing operation 640. Ablocking operation 650 blocks odor emitted from the athletic equipmentfrom permeating the exterior layer of low-permeability fabric. As theexterior layer of low-permeability fabric has low or no permeability,odors generated by the athletic equipment are trapped within the bagwhile being absorbed by the odor-absorbing panels.

The logical operations making up the embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein are referred to variously as operations, steps,objects, or modules. Furthermore, it should be understood that logicaloperations may be performed in any order, adding or omitting operationsas desired, unless explicitly claimed otherwise or a specific order isinherently necessitated by the claim language.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore, structuralfeatures of the different embodiments may be combined in yet anotherembodiment without departing from the recited claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bagcomprising: a main body of a size and shape to encompass athleticequipment generating odor, the main body including an opening forreceiving the athletic equipment into the athletic bag, and the mainbody further including at least an exterior layer of low-permeabilityfabric and an interior layer of high-permeability fabric; and one ormore odor-absorbing panels attached to an interior of the main body, theodor-absorbing panels including at least one layer of each of anactivated carbon cloth and a biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh, theodor-absorbing panels each facing a portion of the athletic equipmentgenerating odor, wherein each of the odor-absorbing panels lie within awindow in the interior layer of high-permeability fabric.
 2. Theanti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag of claim 1, wherein thelow-permeability fabric is made of a ripstop nylon and thehigh-permeability fabric is made of spandex.
 3. The anti-bacterial anddeodorizing athletic bag of claim 1, wherein the biocidal metal platednylon knit mesh includes one or more of silver, gold, copper, nickel,tin, and zinc.
 4. The anti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag ofclaim 1, wherein athletic equipment is a pair of shoes, and theodor-absorbing panels each face an opening of one of the shoes.
 5. Theanti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag of claim 1, wherein thewindows in the interior layer of high-permeability fabric are covered bya mesh, and wherein the odor-absorbing panels are visible through themesh.
 6. The anti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag of claim 1,further comprising: an internal divider physically separating two ormore components of the athletic equipment.
 7. The anti-bacterial anddeodorizing athletic bag of claim 1, wherein the interior layer ofhigh-permeability fabric is elastic to accommodate a variety of sizesand shapes of the athletic equipment.
 8. The anti-bacterial anddeodorizing athletic bag of claim 1, wherein the interior layer ofhigh-permeability fabric is infused with a biocidal metal.
 9. Theanti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag of claim 1, wherein theodor-absorbing panels are further infused with a scented material. 10.The anti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag of claim 1, furthercomprising: a closure assembly for the athletic bag including a magneticzipper and a pair of handles that meet and secure together for a user tocarry the athletic bag.
 11. The anti-bacterial and deodorizing athleticbag of claim 1, further comprising: an internal pocket formed from alayer of the high-permeability fabric.
 12. A method of using ananti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic bag comprising: opening aclosure mechanism of the bag, the bag including a main body of a sizeand shape to encompass athletic equipment generating odor, the main bodyincluding at least an exterior layer of low-permeability fabric and aninterior layer of high-permeability fabric; placing the athleticequipment into a compartment of the bag, the compartment including atleast one odor-absorbing panel incorporating at least one layer of eachof activated carbon cloth and biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh, theodor-absorbing panels each facing a portion of the athletic equipmentgenerating odor, and wherein each of the odor-absorbing panels liewithin a window in the interior layer of high-permeability fabric; andclosing the closure mechanism of the bag, thus sealing the athleticequipment within the bag.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: absorbing odor emitted from the athletic equipment into theodor-absorbing panels.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:blocking odor emitted from the athletic equipment from permeating theexterior layer of low-permeability fabric.
 15. The method of claim 12,wherein the low-permeability fabric is made of a ripstop nylon and thehigh-permeability fabric is made of spandex.
 16. The method of claim 12,wherein the biocidal metal plated nylon knit mesh includes one or moreof silver, gold, copper, nickel, tin, and zinc.
 17. The method of claim12, wherein athletic equipment is a pair of shoes, and theodor-absorbing panels each face an opening of one of the shoes.
 18. Ananti-bacterial and deodorizing athletic shoe bag comprising: a main bodyof a size and shape to encompass athletic shoes generating odor, themain body including an opening for receiving the athletic shoes into theathletic shoe bag, and the main body further including at least anexterior layer of low-permeability fabric and an interior layer ofhigh-permeability fabric; and one or more odor-absorbing panels attachedto an interior of the main body, the odor-absorbing panels including atleast one layer of each of an activated carbon cloth and a biocidalmetal plated nylon knit mesh, the odor-absorbing panels each facing anopening on one of the athletic shoes generating odor, wherein each ofthe odor-absorbing panels lie within a window in the interior layer ofhigh-permeability fabric.